The patterns can be downright magical: Symmetrical swirls and curlicues amid gaps in the sweet, red flesh. To farmers, though, this kind of natural watermelon art—which goes by the name hollow heart—hurts. The fruit is perfectly edible, but a field with too many affected melons can be difficult to sell.
Can you eat a watermelon that has swirls in it?
Although the sight might be alarming when the melon is first cut open, the affected fruit is still entirely safe to eat. So next time you’re carving a watermelon for your summer picnic, don’t be afraid if you see this crazy pattern on the inside. It’s just science working its natural magic.
What causes swirls in watermelon?
A few of you may have encountered some strange circles affecting the rinds of watermelons. The circles may vary in size and the area affected, but they still usually materially affect the appearance. This defect is caused by a virus, named the papaya ring spot virus.
What does it mean if watermelon has rings on it?
Like all RNA viruses, it contains a protein capsid which protects the inner viral RNA.
| Watermelon mosaic virus | |
|---|---|
| Family: | Potyviridae |
| Genus: | Potyvirus |
| Species: | Watermelon mosaic virus |
Is watermelon mosaic harmful to humans?
Are squash and melons affected by mosaic virus safe to eat? “Yes,” says Nebraska Food Safety Educator Carol Larvick, citing information from Minnesota Extension. “These viruses are specific to plants and do not harm humans.
When should you not eat a watermelon?
If the flesh of your watermelon is slimy, off-colored, foul-smelling, or growing something fuzzy, this means it has gone bad and should be thrown away (after being wrapped in layers of plastic bags to avoid stinking up the whole kitchen). These traits also apply to pre-cut and pre-packaged watermelon.
Why does my watermelon have a weird texture?
When a watermelon gets too ripe for its own good, the juicy crisp texture of the flesh can turn gritty and dry. If you cut it open, you might see the flesh actually pulling away from the seeds. If your watermelon is mealy, it’s still safe to eat.
Is it safe to eat hollow heart watermelon?
Hollow heart watermelon is totally fine to eat
According to Watermelon.org, internally cracked watermelons are safe to eat and may even taste sweeter than a regular watermelon since the melon’s sugars consolidate along the surface of the cracked flesh.
What are the white streaks in watermelon?
White heart is a disorder that can develop during the final stages of watermelon growth. With this disorder, white streaks appear throughout the flesh of the melon.
Why does my watermelon have hollow spots?
In the case of seedless watermelons, many patches don’t contain enough pollinating vines that set flowers at the same time as the fruiting plants, and a lack of viable pollen is the end result. Fruits will initiate when only a portion of the seeds are fertilized, but this usually results in empty cavities where seeds
Can you get sick from overripe watermelon?
Sometimes spoiled watermelon looks and smells fine. This is often the case with cut melon that’s been sitting in a container in your fridge for a week or so. Though the sealed container has prevented the fruit from getting slimy or growing mold, the melon can still be bad, and could potentially make you sick.
What illness can you get from watermelon?
A salmonella outbreak linked to watermelons has affected 35 people in the UK, health experts have revealed.
- A salmonella outbreak linked to watermelons has affected 35 people in the UK, health experts have revealed.
- One person has died, although they had serious underlying health issues.
Is there a virus in watermelon?
CGMMV is one of the most widely occurring and damaging viruses on watermelon plants other than Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV)29; however, fruit decay and acidification symptoms are only observed on CGMMV infected watermelons.
What does mosaic virus look like?
The disease is characterized by leaves that are mottled with yellow, white, and light or dark green spots and streaks (in other words, a “mosaic” of these colors). Some of the most commonly infected plants include tomatoes, squashes, cauliflower, and cucumbers, but many more plants are susceptible.
How common is mosaic virus?
With thousands of different viruses, the mosaic virus is one of the most common types of plant viruses and contains hundreds of different strains.
How do you test for mosaic virus?
The Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) ImmunoStrip® is used to detect the presence of TMV in many different crops including vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals. ImmunoStrips® are the perfect screening tool for use in the field, greenhouse, and the lab. The TMV ImmunoStrip® cross-reacts with many other Tobamoviruses.
What does the inside of a bad watermelon look like?
If everything looks good, put your nose close to the rind and check for a sweet, fresh scent. If it smells tangy or sour, toss it out. Then, slice open your melon and look for deep pink or red flesh inside. If yours is any other color, or if the flesh looks gritty or shriveled, throw the watermelon away!
Why we should not eat watermelon at night?
Watermelon has 92% water content. While it does solve your hydration blues in peak summers, having it at night can potentially make you take more trips to the bathroom, disturb your sleep. In some cases, watermelon, if not eaten in control can lead to the problem of water retention, causing swelling and overhydration.
What should the inside of a watermelon look like?
The inside, if you’re looking at a cut watermelon section, should be bright pink or red with a thick, pale rind. An over-ripe melon will have paler pink flesh, more a shell pink than hot pink. The rind may be greener, and the outside will be more splotchy or discolored.
How can you tell if a watermelon is overripe?
Consumers who still want to thump the watermelon should listen closely when their finger flicks the fruit. “An unripe watermelon will ‘ping’ when thumped. An overripe watermelon will ‘thud. ‘ The one you want to buy is somewhere in between,” Egel said.
Is it OK to eat mushy watermelon?
Eating overripe watermelon should not have any consequences; however, if you purchase a watermelon and find it yucky on the inside return it to the store for a replacement.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.